How to Know if You Have Mold in Your Home

Having mold in your home can impact more than just your home; it affects the health of you and your family. There are classic signs of mold, such as spotting a small patch that looks dark or soot-like to large water damaged areas. Even if you spot a small area of mold that shows the conditions in your home are optimal for mold growth, and it is likely there is more you cannot see. Though there are several types of mold, there are common molds in homes.

Common Household Molds

Here are just a few common household molds. Keep in mind this is not an exhaustive list, and there are several mold species.

Mold grows all over the Earth and can be found in your kitchen, shower, or bathtub. This kind of mold is called Ulocladium. Typically, black and grows in the grooves of the shower where the tile has caulk. You can find it outside windows that house air conditioning units.

Trichoderma and Cladosporium live wet or damp surfaces such as floors, carpet, and wallpaper. It can even be spotted in areas of high condensation around HVAC units. Reactions to this mold have been linked to pulmonary and liver problems.

Stachybotrys is the typical black and slimy mold that grows in high humidity that maintains the same environment for weeks. It has been linked to depression, fatigue, and sinus problems.

We may use penicillin to treat infections. If this mold is in your home, it causes a lot of respiratory problems and can be easily inhaled by children and pets.

Mold can grow in more than just bathrooms.

Be Proactive

Once mold begins, it can multiply, so keep an eye out around areas such as your sinks and bathtubs in your home.

You can purchase cleaning solutions from your local store to use after you have showered or washed dishes.

If you have had a recent leak in your home, check the surface and the areas close to where the leak occurred. If it has grown into your drywall or flooring, you will need to have a professional come out and restore the impacted areas.

Monitor places such as basements. Depending on the climate you live in, your home may be naturally susceptible to growth mold. If you live in a humid area, invest in a dehumidifier to reduce the moisture in your house.

If you suffer from chronic allergies and you use a humidifier during the winter, examine the room and areas close to the humidifier for mold and make sure you clean your humidifier.

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